[tfdfyrman]

It's been a while since I've been around here but I have come across what seems to be a good deal on a Ford 801. I did a search on here and didn't really come up with anything specific. Maybe I was searching wrong, I don't know.

Anyway, a family friend has a 801 that he wants to sell me for $1000. It is pretty rough as far as paint and he said it had a leak in the tank he patched with JB weld and he rebuilt the carb. It needs new front tires but the rears are in real good shape. He says it will start and run and has been converted to 12v. It also comes with a 5' box blade. I've been told they can easily bring $3000 in running condition. Anyone agree?

Oh, as far as details and specs on this tractor. I have read anywhere from 44-49hp. Sound accurate? Did anyone make a FEL for these things?

Thanks
Chad

 

[JohnW]

For a $1000 you cannot go wrong as far as specs on the tractor check out http://www.tractordata.com/

 

[Kirk-NJ]

A grand is a great price for a good running 801 in my area. Yes about 45hp.
The 801 is a good tractor with a lot of improvements over earlier models.

Kirk

 

[Fla Don]

Front end loaders were available for them at one time.

 

[souNdguy]

even if it is an sos trannied machine.. if it starts and drives around with no major flaws.. I'd jump on it for a grand... ugly just don't matter on a work tractor.

soundguy

 

[petra79]

I'd buy it. As far as "ugly tractors" thats the only kind I buy. Thats part of the fun. Get em running real good then make em "good lookin tractors" and still use em for work. I have an 861 and am looking at an 850 right now for $1500.

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

It's been a while since I've been around here but I have come across what seems to be a good deal on a Ford 801. I did a search on here and didn't really come up with anything specific. Maybe I was searching wrong, I don't know.

801 is the name for the entire series. The individual models were called the 811, 821, 831, 841, 851, 861, 871 or 881 depending on what transmission, hydraulics and pto options that they had.

 

[tfdfyrman]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I haven't been back here. I guess my yahoo mail has been dumping the reply notifications in my spam folder and I didn't know it.

I am not sure exactly which 801 series model it is yet. I should be getting it within a week or two.

I do know it is a 5spd transmission and has a controllable PTO. Not sure what that is called "live PTO" maybe. you can engage and disengage it with a lever.

JohnW, thanks for the link, i will check it out.

Chad

 

[tfdfyrman]

According to the link JohnW gave me, and what I can remember about it, it is a 861 model.

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

The 861 is probably one of the most desirable of the 801 series because it has the 5 speed and the live pto. I think $1000.00 is a great deal.

 

[tfdfyrman]

Well I picked up my tractor. ran some numbers and it is a 1957 851. It came with the 6' box blade (no rippers though) I gave a $1000 for it. I don't think I got hurt, but after I got it off the trailer at home yesterday, it up and died on me. Definitely a carburetor problem because I can get it to run with b-12. I'm gonna tear into a rebuild this afternoon, I hope.

 

[Ken N Tx]

Well I picked up my tractor. ran some numbers and it is a 1957 851. It came with the 6' box blade (no rippers though) I gave a $1000 for it. I don't think I got hurt, but after I got it off the trailer at home yesterday, it up and died on me. Definitely a carburetor problem because I can get it to run with b-12. I'm gonna tear into a rebuild this afternoon, I hope.

:MTF_wel2:


Nice machine, price was right..:fing32:
Its now your Avatar..:fing32:

TSC has rippers, did you check any fuel filters ??

 

[tfdfyrman]

Thanks for the avatar. Yes I have good fuel flow to the carb inlet. The bowl is not filling up so I suspect the float is stuck shut. I rebuild carbs all the time so its not a big deal but I hope I can get it running today without a kit. I hate waiting on parts. I'm going to try and find some used rippers. I checked atwoods yesterday for new ones and they want $40 a piece for them. I can buy a complete used box blade for $100 more than a new set of rippers.

 

[JohnW]

Good deal, you have something to work with and enjoy.

 

[tfdfyrman]

Got the carb rebuilt this morning before our soccer games. It's running like a champ again. Now I have to fix a couple oil leaks. Then I'm going to be using the crap out of it!

 

[souNdguy]

man.. good looking 1000$ machine... where am I when those deals are being passed around!

nice!

soundguy

 

[tfdfyrman]

I'm confused. I hope someone can clear this up for me. My tractor is for sure a model 851. According to my serial number it is a 1957 model. But according to a parts catalog I have, they only made the 801 series from 1958-1962. And that the serial number I have (115xx don't recall the last two numbers off hand) is a 800 series. Unfortunately between 1957 and 1958 there were a lot of parts changes according to the catalog I have.

Knowing it is a 851, should I consider ALL my parts are for 1958-62 tractors and forget the serial number reference?

Thanks!

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

Everything that I can find says that the transition from the 800 series to the 801 series came late in the year in 1957, so a late 1957 model would be an 8x1. That serial number seems correct too. Jim Smith's "Identifying old Ford Tractors" web page shows the serial numbers for the 1957 800 series being 116368 and up (all 6 digits), while the 801 series from the same year started over at 10001 and went up to 11996 (only 5 digits like yours). The 5 digit serial numbers on the 800 series starting with 115xx were from 1955, not 1957.

I think that you would be safe in assuming that you should order parts specifically for the 801 series, and not the 800 series.

 

[JohnW]

The way parts have changed and mixed on these old machines just go by the s/n. My 850 is an 850 by the s/n but it is wearing 851 clothes. Really does not matter to me as long as it does the job I want it to WHEN I want it to.